The Congress is undertaking work on women participation to public life, equality between men and women, as well as on women’s rights, for example by introducing quotas in its national delegations, adopting resolutions and recommandations on gender equality, and contributing to actions fighting violence against women.

Introduced in 2008, in accordance with the Congress Charter, the participation of a minimum of 30% of the under-represented sex in national delegations has been ensured since 2011 as a precondition for the approval of the credentials of a delegation.

  • Between 1994 and 2014, 73% (132) of the posts of President and Vice-President were held by men and 27% (49) were held by elected women;
  • For the first time in 2010, the Vice-presidents of the Congress were in equal numbers. Today (mandate 2021-2026), women constitute 50% (8 out of 16 members) of the executive of the Congress (Bureau);
  • For the first time in 2016, a woman was elected President of the Congress.
  • During 2006-2008, the Congress was actively involved in the “Stop domestic violence against women” campaign, and launched in particular a poster campaign in streets and subways of many European cities with the slogan “Cities and regions take a stand”.
  • In co-operation with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress organised a photo exhibition entitled “Break the silence on domestic violence“, inaugurated in 2008 and conducted in several cities.
  • In 2009, the Congress adopted Resolution 279 and Recommendation 260 on combating domestic violence against women and called for the development of strategies and measures at local level, to prevent and combat violence against women.
  • In 2020, the Congress adopted Resolution 459 and Recommendation 449 on fighting sexist violence against women in politics called on local and regional elected representatives to position themselves as political leaders against sexist discourse and violence.

Назад Jelena DRENJANIN: Combating sexism in politics

Jelena DRENJANIN: Combating sexism in politics

“Sexism is widespread and must be tackled at every level of governance,” said Jelena DRENJANIN (EPP/CEC, Sweden), spokesperson for the Congress for Gender Equality, on the occasion of the adoption of a Recommendation on preventing and combating sexism by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. “This text contains the first internationally agreed definition of sexism. It also helps identifying the different manifestations of sexist behaviors and highlights their impact” she added.

This Recommendation calls on member States to take measures to prevent and combat sexism and its manifestation, to monitor progress in the implementation of this Recommendation, and to make it easily accessible to the relevant authorities.

“The context is favorable for taking action. We are witnessing a general awareness of the extent of sexual harassment. The liberation of women’s speech has brought to light sexism in politics," she said.

"The Congress must start working on these issues: local and regional authorities should be encouraged to set an example in their own communication and to take measures to combat sexism in their own political institutions and administration."

 

See: Congress activities on Gender equality

Gender equality Strasbourg, France 28 March 2019
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In the Resolution 404 (2016), the Congress stresses the importance of adopting and implementing the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life, launched by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in 2006, as a sound step towards gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the promotion of equal opportunities for women and men in local political and public life.